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England coach Eddie Jones is in the middle of preparing his team for what will be his first ever meeting with Wales in charge of the Red Rose outfit.

Ahead of Saturday's Six Nations humdinger at Twickenham, the Australian sat down in front of a packed press room at England's plush Pennyhill Park base in Surrey.

The huge interest in the game was shown by the large number of media in attendance.

Here's what Jones told the ranks of journalists as he looked ahead to the vital clash...

Question: Can you explain your selection Eddie?

Answer: We've picked our best 23 for the Wales game. It's obviously the most important game because it's the next game coming up. We're very happy with the squad and there has been great competition for places. We've made a few changes on the bench which has strengthened the side again. Some players have been left out but we're in a good position for the game.

England boss Eddie Jones (Photo: Getty Images)

Q: What's your impression of Wales and Warren Gatland?

A: They're a very well coached side. They've been together eight years. They've had a great run in Europe. They've been the benchmark in terms of their physicality and fitness. We're looking forward to benchmarking ourselves against them.

It's Warren Gatland v Eddie Jones

Q: Do you see this as a cup final?

A: It's our most important game because it's our next one.

Q: Have both teams improved since the World Cup?

A: We're a new England. We don't look back to that game. Seventy per cent of the players are the same and 30 are new to Test rugby. We've got a new philosophy and we train, think and play differently. That (World Cup) game has no relevance to us this Saturday. The players went to Grimsby and they enjoy each other's company and are just getting on with it. It's a new team.

We're ready to play and prepared to win.

Mike Brown trudges off after losing to Wales (Photo: Getty Images)

Q: What's going to be the difference between the two sides?

A: Attack. Test match rugby never goes too far away from the contest for the set-piece. That will dictate who wins the gain-line and whoever wins the gain-line will have the advantage.

Warren's teams have traditionally played gain-line rugby and it's going to be a battle.

We've got a very good referee, one of the best in the world, in Craig Joubert who likes to have fast ball so it could be quite an exciting game.

Q: What about the clash between Billy Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau?

A: It's a great opportunity for Billy to get better as a player. Every time he trains he gets better and he's enjoying being with the boys. I'm sure he's going to play well on Saturday. The players have brought the best out of Billy, I haven't done much. He's enjoying things.

Q: Will the Twickenham factor play a part?

A: We're looking forward to Saturday. We'll have 82,000 people out there and we want them to be cheering for England. We will give them opportunities to cheer.

Q: Is there ever any unease about putting your players out against teams like Wales?

A: The boys can look after themselves. I'm pretty sure they can.

Q: How close a call was it between Joe Launchbury and Maro Itoje?

A: Joe came back and started training on Monday but it's probably a little bit early for him to start the game. He'll do a good job off the bench for us in this game.

Q: What does Manu Tuilagi bring to your squad?

A: He ran two lines on Tuesday and cut a hole in our defence. Paul Gustard wasn't too happy. He's got power, he's got pace and he's a good rugby player. It's not a bad combination.

Q: Richard Cockerill said Tuilagi wasn't ready?

A: I'm not debating with Richard. I don't pick the Leicester side and he doesn't pick the England side.

Q: Who replaces Owen Farrell if he limps off after five minutes?

A: We'll work that out on the day.

England's Owen Farrell

Q: How confident would you be if you had to put Tuilagi on after five minutes?

A: I'm not sure I'd put him on after five minutes. If there's an injury I'll make a decision as to who comes on. We have a bench who are very well equipped to play 80 minutes of high paced Test rugby.

Q: Have England solved their discipline problems?

A: Discipline is a part of every rugby team. When you go to the breakdown or a scrum there are 50/50 decisions. Things balance out. I know you guys make a big deal of it but I don't see it as a big issue for our team at the moment. We want to develop as a team every week and playing with 14 men for 10 minutes against Ireland might hold us in good stead for Wales.

Q:You've got great flexibility in your team?

A: It's very important. When you're preparing for a World Cup you need flexible players who can handle multiple positions. We're just looking at this game but having guys like Ellliot Daly is very handy. Manu can play 12 and I also believe he can play 13 too. We've got wonderful flexibility there. When you look at a game of rugby you very rarely get order in the game.

It's chaotic so you need players who can adjust to different positions and that's what we want.